Body mass index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used in screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Norms have been established for heights and weights of children of both sexes and various ages. Thus, BMI for children and adolescents are age and gender specific. Once a BMI has been calculated, the child can be placed into one of four categories:
- Underweight: BMI falls below the 5th percentile for their age and sex
- Healthy weight: BMI falls in the 5th to 84th percentile for their age and sex
- Overweight: BMI falls in the 85th to 94th percentile for their age and sex
- Obese: BMI is equal to or above the 95th percentile for age and sex
Use the BMI Percentile Calculator for Children and Teens to calculate your child’s BMI.
